When the first gold nugget was found at Sutters Mill, word traveled like wildfire
and the great California gold rush exploded.

Starband announced Dec. 2000, affordable 2-way Internet satellite systems are now
available for single PCs for $70/month. The more advanced Tachyon systems coupled
with wireless technologies, can now network entire communities without copper wire or
geographical limitations.

Suddenly, all communities worldwide, rural and urban, have the opportunity to explore
the promise of the economic and social benefits of high speed Internet.

The first gold nugget is still waiting to be found, however. It is literally, once
Internet access is achieved, the most effective way to help both regular citizens and
digital divide folks become inspired, motivated self-directed learners using Internet!

Mining Raw Human Potential

Due to the sudden availability of new 2-way satellite and wireless solutions,
high-speed Internet will quickly become commonplace. Communities, and nations, will soon
begin to understand they are in competition for who can most quickly establish the visions
and processes by which communities, and nations, will engage citizens in using Internet to
realize the untapped human potential of all individuals. Were literally witnessing
the beginning of a new gold rush; how to mine the full learning potential of all citizens
within any community, or nation, for both their economic and social value.

If we take a lesson from our educated elite, many educators received high-speed
Internet access years ago, but received minimal training opportunities, resulting in
non-use of the majority of the capabilities at their fingertips. Many educators are still
intimidated by computers and Internet, and/or are not aware of the higher uses available.
How to best provide motivating training for less educated folks is one big question!

The Digital Divide issue is fast becoming not simply access, but access to the best
"fast-track" training solutions proven to deliver the highest levels of Internet
benefits, and human motivation.

Internet Brings Three Historical Firsts

The Internet brings individuals and communities three indisputably important major
historical firsts that relate to both social and business applications:

2. Inexpensive global self-publishing for both individuals and communities; sharing
creative works and resources with an authentic peer audience through the ability to
self-publish locally, or globally, on equal par with the worlds largest
universities, corporations, and governments. This allows for every story to be told and
dramatically facilitates the sharing of information.

3. The ability to collaborate with individuals without restraint due to distance or
time, either privately one-to-one, or publicly involving whole communities, bringing
people together around purposeful causes to take organized action. The Internet increases
the quantity and quality of human relationships.

Finding the Best for the Most with the Least

The Internet makes it possible to access the best online training, suitable for the
most citizens, requiring the least investment of time and effort. Extensive free online
resources are already available. The need exists for a resource brokerage cooperative
assisting citizens on an ongoing basis in identifying the best for the most with the
least investment of time and effort.

Teaching digital divide folks use of the best searching tools and
techniques, including the best free web tools for collaboration, e-commerce training and
sites, web authoring, and web-hosting, allows them to leapfrog ahead of mainstream users,
saving major time and frustration while delivering self-confidence and the motivation to
learn more.

As youth frequently demonstrate for their overwhelmed parents and teachers, specific
information can be easily retrieved within seconds of having the need. In a world of
accelerating change, self-directed learning using Internet is now an important skill.
Search engines can return in seconds listings of tutorials by topic, including whole
online courses and much more.

Collaboration is needed to combat information overload as email, listservs and other
Internet collaborative tools provide efficient means for sharing information. If we learn
to share, well all have access to all our joint knowledge. Peer-mentoring roles are
made viable by the convenience of email. But, realizing our joint collaborative potential
will require changes in our behavior. Where does one go for "fast-track"
training on building individual and community collaborative capacity that engages citizens
in a fun, social, way?

While many of us have the impression we have been left in the dust by silicon valley
billionaire whiz kids, the reality is we too have unlimited opportunities to explore.
Ecommerce starts with being able to take a digital image of your product with the push of
one button on a digital camera, and uploading it to Ebay.com where over one billion
dollars will be exchanged by others doing the same simple auctioning tasks. Successful
businesses have been created around selling tumbleweeds, home crafts, and other products
which would never sell locally in enough volume to be profitable. Global niche markets are
now accessible to all of us.

Cisco Systems has demonstrated a successful mastery learning training program through
their Cisco Academies. A similar program is needed for training rural citizens, not to be
network technicians, but to create the Ecommerce and social applications which will engage
the 99% of citizens who will not be Cisco network technicians.

During the last 15 years, Cisco has become the third largest corporation in the world.
This year, Cisco will train over 150,000 students in 74 countries. Cisco relies on peer
mentoring to deliver a significant percentage of their technical support.

Since rural communities share many needs, at issue is how best to avoid the expense of
unnecessary duplication and how best to benefit from potential economies of scale, in the
ongoing creation and dissemination of best practices and resources for Internet awareness,
training, collaboration, and Ecommerce. Who will lead?

Starband announced Dec. 2000, the availability of high-speed two-way Internet dishes
that can bring many of the benefits of broadband to all communities. Costs are $199 for
installation and $69.99/month (one year commitment) for 500kb downlink and 150kb uplink
speeds, or over 10 times the speed of a regular phoneline.) Starband systems are limited
to single PCs, but Tachyon systems, using wireless modems, can serve multiple users
across a community.

Just what would a citizen, or community, do with such a system to turn it into a
sustainable business or multiple businesses? Are there proven models out there to learn
from? Community networks have continually redefined themselves. Many community networks
today are becoming social engagement programs focused on creating ongoing
collaborative-innovation training programs. Where does one go for guidance?

As communities worldwide gain such access, they will eventually share equal
opportunities with your community. You might consider the next few years as your window of
opportunity for being first to market, or you might sit back and just wait and
see what happens.

Will-nots are an Issue

Separate from the categories of the "haves and have-nots," are the
"will-nots," those who want nothing to do with computers, Internet, and
technology in general.

Technology is intimidating, and threatens directly the often low techno-self-confidence
of many of us, whether citizens, school administrators, or congresspersons. Understanding
the most motivating means of introducing the Internets greatest benefits within this
highly personal context is fundamental to creating inspired, motivated self-directed
learners  at all levels of society!

Youth often know more about computers and Internet than adults, making them valuable
community mentoring and technical support resources. Youth typically outpace adults in
their acquisition of new skills when they have the opportunity for Internet access at
school, and particularly at home. Youth today are key change agents and technology
leaders. Important new roles for youth are emerging. At the same time, established leaders
are often among the least techo-literate among us, making important decisions for their
communities without the benefit of personal hands-on experience.

Since 1988, Frank Odasz has been teaching online courses for educators and presenting
keynotes and workshops for educators and communities, including Alaskan Natives, Migrant
educators, and Native Americans. Lone Eagle Consulting specializes in rural, remote and
indigenous learners and shares the mission of creating targeted training opportunities to
create other Lone Eagles, with emphasis on citizens teaching citizens and
cultural appropriateness.

While writing this article, the author was also preparing for two days of presentations in
Clyde, Kansas, pop. 800., by creating specific listings of doable, short-term action
initiatives, including three online mini-courses on Internet self-empowerment for
citizens.
You can read about this and other rural adventures at http://lone-eagles.com/ruralempowerment.htm